[no audio] >> just hours away from possibly going over the fiscal cliff. if without a deal before midnight, americans will be ringing in this new year with tax hikes and spending cuts. this could kick the economy back into a recession. both chambers convened in a rare sunday session but came up empty. all a great tax rates should be preserved for the middle class. >> taxes on middle class families do not go up. >> in the deal must force wealthier americans to pay more. republicans say that will do nothing to curb the mounting debt. ernie to joe biden to break the stalemate. >> we are running at a time. there is too much at stake. >> workers may see less and there paycheck if there is no agreement. government contractors might be forced to lay off employees. businesses could lose tax breaks. many americans are still hoping for an 11th hour compromise. >> i would hope they could work together and realize that this is affecting everyone. >> both chambers will reconvene later this morning, at which point there will be 12 hours left until the deadline. >> what